Apparatus and method for analyzing body tissue layer in electronic device

ABSTRACT

An electronic device, including a receiver configured to receive signals reflected from an object; and a controller configured to generate information corresponding to at least one tissue layer of the object based on the signals and a plurality of positions of the electronic device, wherein the plurality of positions are determined while the electronic device moves.

RELATED APPLICATION(S)

The present application claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C. §119(a) fromRussian patent application Serial No. 2014147150, filed in the RussianIntellectual Property Office on Nov. 24, 2014, and Korean patentapplication Serial No. 10-2015-0150405, filed in the Korean IntellectualProperty Office on Oct. 28, 2015, the entire disclosures of which arehereby incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND

1. Field

The present disclosure relates to analysis of body tissue layers in anelectronic device.

2. Description of the Related Art

Personalized monitoring of health parameters has a vital priority forevery human being: body fat mass monitoring, head imaging system fortumor detection, breast imaging system for breast cancer, heartfunctioning, and blood vessel movement analysis, among others, are ofutmost importance for healthcare.

Central obesity is said to bring about lifestyle-related diseases, forexample diabetes, hypertension, and hyperlipidemia. It could beeffectively prevented by monitoring visceral fat, or fat thataccumulates around the internal organs on the inner side of theabdominal muscles and the back muscles, and is distinct from thesubcutaneous fat that is located toward the surface of the trunk area.

Until now, there are no appliances to periodically monitor fat thicknessat home. Medical imaging utilizes 3D reconstruction systems, whichrequire complex and expensive hardware and processing algorithmimplementation. New methods are needed, that can detect changes of fatthickness with millimeter accuracy and that can be used for dailypersonal usage. A fat monitoring system is needed because extensivestudies have demonstrated that early detection of obesity symptoms maylead to the most effective treatment.

In U.S. Pat. No. 7,725,150 B2, a variant of UWB sensor known as amicropower impulse sensor combined with advanced signal processingtechniques to provide a new type of medical imaging technology includingfrequency spectrum analysis and modern statistical filtering techniquesto search for, acquire, track, or interrogate physiological data isdescribed. Disadvantages of existing implementations, such as U.S. Pat.No. 7,725,150 B2, may include the following:

The receiver is triggered by the delayed version of the base band pulsetrain; depth information analysis requires sequential sweep of the delayvalue within delay range. Data processing and statistical filtering isrequired for each delay value, thus the process is time consuming. Themethod for physiological data extraction requires a fixed position ofthe UWB sensor on the skin surface. Scanning of the physiological dataalong surface of the bodily organs is not supported.

This device is supposed to be fixedly placed above the area of interestand reconstruct the vital signals in time domain.

Displacement of the UWB sensor disrupts the measurement due to nosynchronization provided between bodily organs depth scanning process(range finder mode) and mechanical displacement of the UWB sensorrelatively to the surface. Therefore, scanning of the physiological dataalong a surface of the bodily organs is not supported. In this case atissue structure image in 3D or 2D cannot be reconstructed.

It is impossible to measure physiological parameters during continuousmovement of the UWB sensor along the human body surface.

A method for volume visualization in UWB sensor and a system thereof isdescribed in U.S. Pat. No. 8,089,396 B2. This patent describes methodfor measurement results processing and 3D data representation.

Following disadvantages of U.S. Pat. No. 8,089,396 limit itsapplicability:

The stationary position of the UWB sensor relative to visualizationvolume limits the resolution of 3D visualization. Acceptable resolutionis only achievable if antenna array structure has the same size as theentire volume to be visualized. Therefore fat scanning task will requirebulky device size compared to size of entire human body.

Receiving antenna array of the disclosed UWB sensor cannot receivesignals from an object located at its side due to shadowing effect.Therefore, usage of the UWB sensor of U.S. Pat. No. 8,089,396 directlyin touch with the human body is impossible.

With mentioned disadvantages, the method proposed in U.S. Pat. No.8,089,396 is not optimal for the applications disclosed in the presentdisclosure.

In patent document JP5224454, the plurality of transmit and receiveantennas are fixed in predefined positions, surrounding fixed testvolume. Body tissue must be tightly placed within that test volume.Human body phantom tissues are used for calibration of the measurementsystem of JP5224454. The test volume is completely filled with the humanbody phantom tissues during the calibration.

The following disadvantages of JP5224454 limit its applicability:

Antenna structure should have the same size as a body organ underimaging. Therefore fat scanning task will require a bulky device sizecompared to human body size.

Calibration with human body phantom tissues is required before themeasurement that cannot be done at home conditions.

Fixed test volume should have specific size of corresponding human bodypart. Therefore, fat measurement at various body parts (i.e. belly,legs, hands, neck) is not possible.

Cancerous tissue detection is claimed; however normal tissue thicknessmeasurement is a completely different task, which requires anothermeasurement method.

In patent application document US 2010/0274145 A1 fetal and/or maternalmonitoring devices, systems and methods using UWB medical sensor aredescribed. A main application of this device is to detect vital signals.The following disadvantages limit its application for tissue structurevisualization:

This device is supposed to be fixedly placed above the area of interestand reconstruct the vital signals in time domain.

The receiver is triggered by the delayed version of the base band pulsetrain; depth information analysis requires sequential sweep of the delayvalue within delay range. Data processing and statistical filtering isrequired for each delay value, thus the process is time consuming. Themethod for physiological data extraction requires fixed position of theUWB sensor on the skin surface.

Displacement of the UWB sensor disrupts the measurement due to nosynchronization provided between bodily organs depth scanning process(range finder mode) and mechanical displacement of the UWB sensorrelatively to the surface. Therefore, scanning of the physiological dataalong surface of the bodily organs is not supported. In this casetissues structure image in 3D or 2D is cannot be reconstructed.

It is impossible to measure physiological parameters during continuousmovement of the UWB sensor along the human body surface.

Several algorithms are available to reconstruct a 2D or 3D image fromthe collected data. A number of reconstruction algorithms are describedin various literature, for example U.S. Pat. No. 6,061,589, Jack E.Bridges et al., Lopez-Sanchez, J. M., Fortuny-Guasch, 1., “3-D RadarImaging using Range Migration Techniques,” ISSN 0018-926X (IEEETransactions on Antennas and Propagation, vol. 48, no. 5, May 2000).These algorithms are based on antenna characterization in far field zoneusing their radiation pattern and not applicable for analysis ofnear-field electromagnetic waves induced within the tissue layers.

SUMMARY

According to an aspect of an exemplary embodiment, an electronic deviceincludes a receiver configured to receive signals reflected from anobject; and a controller configured to generate informationcorresponding to at least one tissue layer of the object based on thesignals and a plurality of positions of the electronic device, whereinthe plurality of positions are determined while the electronic devicemoves.

The object may include a body, wherein the at least one tissue layer mayinclude at least one from among a muscle, a skin and a fat, and whereinthe information may include a thickness associated with the at least onetissue layer.

The electronic device may further include: a transmitter configured toradiate the signals to the object while the electronic device movesalong a surface of the object.

The electronic device may further include: a motion sensor configured todetermine the plurality of positions while the electronic device moves.

The electronic device may further include: a display configured todisplay an image representing the information.

The electronic device may further include: a communicator configured totransmit the information to another electronic device.

The electronic device may further include: at least one antennaconfigured to radiate the signals and to detect the signals reflectedfrom the object, and the at least one antenna may include flexiblematerials.

The electronic device may further include: a reference couplerconfigured to generate a marker signal for a calibration relating to asignal delay associated with the signals.

The controller may be further configured to measure a magnitudeattenuation and a phase delay of the signals.

The information may be generated based on a magnitude attenuation and aphase delay of the signals, and an estimation of signal attenuationcorresponding to a thickness of the at least one tissue layer.

According to another aspect of an exemplary embodiment, a method foroperating an electronic device includes receiving signals reflected froman object; and generating information corresponding to at least onetissue layer of the object based on the signals and a plurality ofpositions of the electronic device, wherein the plurality of positionsare determined while the electronic device moves.

The object may include a body, and the at least one tissue layer mayinclude at least one from among a muscle, a skin and a fat, and theinformation may include a thickness associated with the at least onetissue layer.

The method may further include: radiating the signals to the objectwhile the electronic device moves along a surface of the object.

The method may further include: determining the plurality of positionswhile the electronic device moves.

The method may further include: displaying an image representing theinformation.

The method may further include transmitting the information to anotherelectronic device.

The signals may be radiated and detected through at least one antenna,and the at least one antenna may include flexible materials.

The method may further include: generating a marker signal for acalibration relating to a signal delay associated with the signals.

The method may further include: measuring a magnitude attenuation and aphase delay of the signals.

The information may be generated based on a magnitude attenuation and aphase delay of the signals, and an estimation of signal attenuationcorresponding to a thickness of the at least one tissue layer.

The present disclosure discloses microwave tissue layers profiledetermining and imaging device, which enables two dimensions (2D) orthree dimensions (3D) “section” objects structure imaging for bodytissue layers reconstruction. Also present disclosure disclosesmicrowave imaging device, which displays the regions of visceral fat andsubcutaneous fat and presents examination results in a visual form foreasy understanding.

Ultra-wideband (UWB) healthcare or medical applications monitoringdevice is capable of non-invasive body tissue layers thickness profilemeasurement along the surface, the monitoring device includes a UWBmicrowave sensor comprising an microwave ultra-wideband transmit andreceive antennas.

One aspect of the invention relates to an ultra-wideband device fordetermining a profile of body tissue layers, the device comprising: anultra-wideband sensor for obtaining tissue parameters information at aplurality of positions on the body, the ultra-wideband sensor is adaptedfor transmitting the microwave signals into the body using a transmitantenna of a ultra-wideband sensor and receiving reflected microwavesignals from the body by a receive antenna of the ultra-wideband sensor;a motion sensor for detecting the plurality of positions during themovement of the ultra-wideband sensor along a surface of the body; and acontroller for generating tissue parameters information along thesurface of the body based on the ultra-wideband sensor signals at theplurality of positions during the movement of the ultra-wideband sensorand based on motion sensor signals at the plurality of positions and fordetermining the profile of body tissue layers based on the tissueparameters information.

Additional aspects disclose that the motion sensor is capable to measurecoordinates of the ultra-wideband sensor, obtained during movement ofthe ultra-wideband sensor along the surface of a body; the device isfurther configured for imaging the tissue parameters information or theprofile of body tissue layers using a display; the ultra-wideband sensorfurther comprises transmitter block, receiver block; the transmitterblock is intended for generation of continuous wave step-frequency ornoise-like ultra-wide band spectrum signals conducted to the transmitantenna; the transmitter block is intended for generation of impulse orchirp pulse ultra-wide band spectrum signals conducted to the transmitantenna; the transmit antenna is intended for radiation of transmittedsignals into the body; said transmit antenna is configured to minimizereflections at the boundary antenna to the body skin; the receiveantenna is intended for receiving reflected signals from the body; saidtransmit antenna is configured to minimize reflections at the boundaryantenna to the body skin; ultra-wideband sensor is placed close to thebody surface, but not necessary in direct contact with the skin;transmit and receive antennas are adapted for defining spatialresolution by near-field focusing of transmitted and reflected signals;a reference coupler connected to the transmit antenna and to the receiveantenna, and intended for transmitting of marker signals to the receiveantenna; marker signals are intended for calibration of the microwavesignals delays within the ultra-wideband sensor and identification ofthe skin surface as a “zero” depth level; the reference coupler isformed as a material with defined dielectric properties and thickness;said material is located between antennas and body surface; the receiverblock is intended for detecting amplitude attenuation and phase delay ofthe received signals compared to the transmitted signal; the controlleris intended for synchronization of the transmitter block, the receiverblock and acquisition of amplitude attenuation and phase delay of thereflected signal data during movement of the mobile device along thebody surface; the motion sensor is intended for transmitting positioncoordinates of the ultra-wideband sensor to the controller duringmovement of the ultra-wideband sensor along the body surface; thecontroller is intended for reconstruction of the living-body-tissuelayers profile using attenuation and phase delay of the reflectedsignals and coordinates of the ultra-wideband sensor measured at anumber of positions during its movement along the body surface; thecontroller is configured for performing reconstruction of theliving-body-tissue layers profile using Fourier, inverse filtration,cepstral or related data processing methods; the controller is intendedfor reconstruction of the living-body-tissue layers profile, taking intoaccount non-uniform and discontinuous movement of the ultra-widebandsensor; the controller is intended for real-time tuning of operatingfrequency range of the transmitter block and the receiver block, thusconfiguring maximum depth of the living-body-tissue layers profiledetermining; transmit and receive antennas functions are performed by asingle antenna; transmit and receive antennas are placed together in asingle assemble and cannot be moved one relatively to the other;transmit and receive antennas are fabricated using flexible materialssuch as a flexible printed circuit board (FPCB), an Indium tin oxidefilm or alike; said transmit and receive antennas could be flexiblymoved one relatively to the other; the device is configured forconformal adaptation of its surface for the body during the manualmovement of the ultra-wideband sensor along the body surface; thetransmit antenna and the receive antenna are configured to moverelatively to each other such that measurement accuracy for determiningof living-body-tissue layers profile and layers thickness measurement isimproved; the display is configured for indication of measurementresults as a cross section of a living-body-tissues structure in 2Dand/or 3D image style and/or thickness profile graph forliving-body-tissues; the controller is intended for thicknessmeasurement of a certain kind of living-body-tissues like fat tissue, orskin tissue, or muscle tissue or all of them; the device is embedded inconsumer electronic device like smartphone, tablet computer, or anyother wearable or mobile device; controller is embedded into as a partof the data processing block embedded into consumer electronic device;the device is implemented as an independent device.

Another aspect of the invention relates to a method of non-contactdetermining a profile of body tissue layers, the method comprisinggenerating microwave signals as a ultra-wide band spectrum signals usinga controller; transmitting the microwave signals into the body using atransmit antenna of a ultra-wideband sensor; receiving reflectedmicrowave signals from the body by a receive antenna of theultra-wideband sensor; moving of the ultra-wide band sensor along asurface of a living body; determining a plurality of positions of theultra-wideband sensor; determining amplitude and phase frequencycharacteristics of the reflected microwave signals at the plurality ofpositions using the controller when movement of the ultra-wide bandsensor along a body surface; determining the profile of body tissuelayers using information about the plurality of positions of theultra-wideband sensor and information about the amplitude and phasefrequency characteristics at the plurality of positions; whereintransmitting and receiving of microwave signals is performed at theplurality of positions during continuous movement of the ultra-wide bandsensor on the body surface; and determining of the profile of the bodytissue layers is performed by cumulative measurements from the pluralityof positions during movement of the ultra-wide band sensor.

Additional aspect discloses that the method further includes imaging thedetermined profile of the body tissue layers using a display.

A technical result is simplified defining of the area of interest,simplifying body parameters determining in the selected area, increasedspeed of measurement of body parameters in the selected area, increasedspeed of the obtained data analysis.

Following data of body part under exploration is indicated: body fatpercentage, body fat allocation, body fat volume within each body partseparately. Fat volume allocation is indicated in 2D or 3D image.

Technical result of invention is achieved by using a ultra-widebandsensor which can be easy moved along a surface of a body in combinationwith a motion sensor for detecting position of the ultra-widebandsensor. Then data from the ultra-wideband sensor and the motion sensorare used for determining a profile of body tissue layers and imaging thetissue parameters.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates a structure of an electronic device according to anexemplary embodiment.

FIG. 2A illustrates a structure of an electronic device implemented in aform of a combination of devices according to an exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 2B illustrates a structure of an electronic device implemented inan independent form according to an exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 3 illustrates operations of an electronic device according to anexemplary embodiment.

FIG. 4 illustrates a movement of an electronic device along a bodysurface according to an exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 5 illustrates a cross-section of body tissues and a movement of anelectronic device during a measurement process according to an exemplaryembodiment.

FIG. 6 illustrates a manual spiral or zigzag movement of an electronicdevice along a body surface, required for a three dimensional (3D) imagereconstruction according to an exemplary embodiment.

FIGS. 7A and 7B illustrate a radiation of a transmitted signal into abody, cross-section of the body is taken at center of a transmit antennaaccording to exemplary embodiments.

FIG. 8 illustrates a conformal adaptation of a sensor for a body shapeaccording to an exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 9 illustrates a 3D simulation model for estimation of the maximummeasurement depth of a sensor according to an exemplary embodiment.

FIGS. 10A to 10C illustrate estimations of microwave signals attenuationfor skin, fat and muscle tissues according to exemplary embodiments.

FIG. 11A illustrates a structure of an electronic device with areference coupler for a calibration according to an exemplaryembodiment.

FIG. 11B illustrates a structure of an electronic device with acalibration material for a calibration according to an exemplaryembodiment.

FIG. 12 illustrates a measurement and data analysis procedure forbody-tissue layer profile extraction.

FIGS. 13A and 13B illustrate a body tissue layer structure that can bepresented after a measurement according to exemplary embodiments.

FIGS. 14A to 14D illustrate examples of 3D image reconstruction for afat volume allocation according to exemplary embodiments.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The following description with reference to the accompanying drawings isprovided to assist in a comprehensive understanding of exemplaryembodiments of the disclosure and those exemplary embodiments defined bythe claims and their equivalents. It includes various specific detailsto assist in that understanding but these are to be regarded as merelyexemplary. Accordingly, those of ordinary skill in the art willrecognize that various changes and modifications of the exemplaryembodiments described herein can be made without departing from thescope and spirit of the disclosure. In addition, descriptions ofwell-known functions and constructions may be omitted for clarity andconciseness.

The terms and words used in the following description and claims are notlimited to the bibliographical meanings, but are merely used to enable aclear and consistent understanding of the disclosure. Accordingly, itshould be apparent to those skilled in the art that the followingdescription of exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure isprovided for illustration purpose only and not to limit the variousexemplary embodiments of the disclosure, including those defined by theappended claims and their equivalents.

It is to be understood that the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the”include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.Thus, for example, reference to “a component surface” includes referenceto one or more of such surfaces.

By the term “substantially” it is meant that the recited characteristic,parameter, or value need not be achieved exactly, but that deviations orvariations, including for example, tolerances, measurement error,measurement accuracy limitations and other factors known to those ofskill in the art, may occur in amounts that do not preclude the effectthe characteristic was intended to provide.

Exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure provide a technique foranalyzing tissue layers of an object in an electronic device. Variousexemplary embodiments relate to a field of microwave sensor, especiallyto non-contact UWB (ultra-wideband) body tissues sensor, in particularhuman body tissues sensor to be used for determining a profile of livingbody tissue layers and three dimensional (3D) or two dimensional (2D)medical imaging to visualize tissue structure under the skin surface andto define tissue layer thickness (e.g. fat, etc.).

Hereinafter, a term for indicating a signal, a term for indicating anobject to be analyzed, and a term for indicating a component of theelectronic device are illustrated to ease the understanding.Accordingly, the present disclosure is not limited to those termsmentioned, and can use other equivalent terms. For example, a body maybe alternatively referred as a human body or a living body. However,various exemplary embodiments are not limited to a human or a livingcreature.

An exemplary embodiment provides a process for determining a profile ofbody tissue layers and tissue imaging and fat monitoring in consumerelectronic devices like smartphones or tablet PC; thus, enablinghealthcare and medical applications. Despite system simplicity, highimage is provided resolution due to ultra-wide band (UWB) signalutilization and the necessity to visualize tissues on a small depth(around 5-10 cm). According to a radar theory, range (and image)measurement error is inversely proportional to signal bandwidth:δT˜1/√{square root over (B)}. Therefore, the UWB may provide a highimage resolution. Further, the UWB signal is not harmful compared to anarrow band signal, because the signal energy is spread in a widerfrequency band.

An exemplary embodiment may be realized by a consumer device with anintegrated sensor, which allows measurement of tissue layer thickness bydata processing from a series of positions during movement of the UWBsensor along the surface of the body.

FIG. 1 illustrates a structure of an example electronic device accordingto an exemplary embodiment. Terms such as ‘˜unit’ and ‘˜er/or’ representa unit for processing at least one function or operation, and can beimplemented using hardware (e.g., a circuitry, a processor and so on),software, or a combination of hardware and software.

Referring FIG. 1, an electronic device 100 includes a signal transceiver110, a sensor 120, a storage 130, and a controller 140.

The signal transceiver 110 transmits wireless signals through an leastone antenna, and receives signals through the at least one antenna. Thesignal transceiver 110 may use a signal antenna to transmit and receivesignals, or may use a transmit antenna and a receive antenna. The signaltransceiver 110 may include a first module for transmissions and asecond module for receptions. In an exemplary embodiment, the signaltransceiver 110 radiates signals toward an object (e.g., a body) toanalyze, and receives signals reflected from the object. Herein, thesignals are configured by predefined values, and may be the UWB signals.

The sensor 120 measures data used to determine the position of theelectronic device 100 during a movement of the electronic device 100.For example, the sensor 120 may include at least one sensing device suchas an accelerometer, a camera or so on. The sensor 120 may beselectively activated according to a status of the electronic device100. Conditions of an activation may be variously defined according toexemplary embodiments. In an exemplary embodiment, the sensor 120 may beactivated when the signal transceiver 110 is operating. In anotherexemplary embodiment, the sensor 120 may be activated when theelectronic device 100 is moving.

The storage 130 stores a basic program for operating the terminal, anapplication program, and data such as setting information. The storage130 may be configured as a form of volatile memory, non-volatile memoryor a combination thereof. Particularly, the storage 130 may storeinstructions for analyzing tissue layers of an object, data estimated bythe sensor 120 and the signal transceiver 110, a result of the analysisand so on. The storage 130 provides the stored data according to arequest of the controller 140.

The controller 140 controls overall operations of the electronic device.For example, the controller 140 transmits and receives the signalsthrough signal transceiver 110. The controller 140 also controlsestimation operations of the sensor 120. In addition, the controller 140writes and reads data in the storage 130. The controller 140 may beimplemented as at least one processor or at least one micro processor,or may be a part of any processor. Particularly, the controller 140controls the electronic device to perform operations for analyzing thetissue layers according to various exemplary embodiments describedhereafter. The controller 140 may include a position determiner 142 fordetermining positions of the electronic device and a signal analyzer 144for analyzing reflected signals received by the signal transceiver 110.

The electronic device 100 exemplified in FIG. 1 may analyze tissuelayers of a body according to various exemplary embodiments. Theelectronic device 100 may be referred to as ‘a sensor’ or ‘an UWBsensor’. The electronic device 100 may be implemented as a combinationof a first device which needs an assistance from a second device (i.e.,a smart phone, a tablet computer and so on) to analyze the tissue layersand the second device. The electronic device 100 may be implemented as adevice which can operate independently. FIG. 2A exemplifies an exemplaryembodiment regarding the electronic device 100 implemented in a form ofthe combination, and FIG. 2B exemplifies another exemplary embodimentregarding the electronic device 100 implemented in a standalone form.

FIG. 2A illustrates a structure of an electronic device implemented in aform of a combination of devices according to an exemplary embodiment.FIG. 2A illustrates a structure and functioning of a device 210 with anintegrated UWB sensing module 220. That is, FIG. 2B illustrates thedevice 210—a smartphone, a tablet computer, or any other wearable ormobile device, which includes the sensing module (sensor) 220. In anexemplary embodiment, the sensing module 220 is embedded into the device210, and utilizes data processing and control modules included in thedevice 210.

Referring FIG. 2A, the electronic device 100 includes a device 210 and asensing module 220. The device 210 includes a central processing unit(CPU) 211, a display 212, an accelerometer 212 and a camera 214. Thesensing module 220 includes a transmit antenna 222, a receive antenna223, a transmitter block 224 and a receiver block 225.

According to an exemplary embodiment, the following modules may beembedded into the device 210: an integrated circuit containing thetransmitter block 224 and the receiver block 225; are the transmitantenna 222 and the receive antenna 223, connected with the transmitterblock 224 and the receiver block 225. The transmit antenna 222 and thereceive antennas 223 may be designed, for example, as slots and shapesin existing conductive parts of the device 210. The transmit antenna 222may be directly connected to the output of the transmitter block 224 andthe receive antenna 223 may be directly connected to the input of thereceiver block 225. The transmitter block 224 generates microwavesignals, which are conducted to the transmit antenna 222 and transmittedinto the body 101. Signals reflected from the body 101 are received bythe receive antenna 223 and detected by the receiver block 225. Thereceiver block 225 is intended for detecting amplitude attenuation andphase delay of the received signals compared to the transmitted signals.

The CPU 221 of the device 210 is used for the body tissues profilereconstruction. Operations of the transmitter block 224 and the receiverblock 225 may be synchronized by the CPU 221. The CPU 221 mayautomatically preset the transmitter block 224 and the receiver block225 for required measurement depth of body 101 tissues, power modes andother measurement parameters. The CPU 221 receives parameters of thereflected signal from the receiver block 225 and calculates structuresof the body 101 tissues. Various implementations of the connectionsbetween CPU 221 and the transmitter block 224 and the receiver block 225may be defined by the CPU 221 architecture, systems-on-chipimplementation and peripheral interfaces.

The device 210 includes the accelerometer 213 and the camera 214,connected to the CPU 221 and intended for measurements of relativedisplacements. The accelerometer 213 and the camera 214 are usedtogether for equidistant depth measurements that allow the best result.In some exemplary embodiments, the accelerometer 213 or the camera 214can be used separately or together for measurement of relativedisplacements. In these exemplary embodiments, the accelerometer 213 hasthe function of a motion control block that will be disclosed in moredetail below. Image data from the camera 214 is transmitted to the CPU221 of the device 210, information on relative position change isextracted using image processing algorithms. During measurement, thedevice 210 automatically detects its movement relatively to the body 101surface by analyzing information from the accelerometer 213 and thecamera 214. Position data is sent from the accelerometer 213 and thecamera 214 to the CPU 221 to bind measurements with correspondingon-body positions of the device 210. The CPU 221 is intended forreconstruction of the living-body-tissue layers profile usingattenuation and phase delay of the reflected signals and coordinates ofthe device 210 measured at a number of positions during movement of thedevice 210 along a surface of the body 101.

Measurement results are indicated on a display 212 of the device 210.Display 212 is connected to the CPU 221 and intended for representationof measurement results. As a result of data processing, CPU 221 isindicating on the display 212: the cross section (2D or 3D) of the bodytissues thickness profile, information on the corresponding position onthe body 101; fat layer thickness profile and other parameters regardingtissues of the body 101.

FIG. 2B illustrates a structure of an example electronic deviceimplemented in an independent form according to an exemplary embodiment.FIG. 2B illustrates a structure and functioning of the UWB sensor as astandalone device, and a position of the UWB sensor above the skinsurface.

Referring FIG. 2B, the electronic device 100 includes the transmitantenna 222, the receive antenna 223, the transmitter block 224, thereceiver block 225, a motion control block (MCB) 256, a control block257, a data processing block (DPB) 258, and a display 212.

The transmit antenna 222 and the receive antenna 223 are connected withthe transmitter block 224 and the receiver block 225. Operations of thetransmitter block 224 and the receiver block 225 may be synchronized bythe control block 257. The control block 257 may automatically presetthe transmitter block 224 and the receiver block 225 for requiredmeasurement depth of body 101 tissues, power modes and other measurementparameters. The control block 257 receives parameters of the reflectedsignal from the receiver block 225 and sends it to the DPB 258 tocalculate structures of tissues of the body 101.

The electronic device 100 may be manually moved along the body 101surface. During the measurement, the electronic device 100 automaticallydetects a movement of the electronic device 100 relatively to the body101 surface using the MCB 256. The MCB 256 is capable of measuringcoordinates of the ultra-wideband sensor, obtained during movement ofthe electronic device 100 along the surface of a body. MCB 256 isconnected with DPB 258; MCB 256 sends data to DPB 258 to bindmeasurements with corresponding on-body positions of the electronicdevice 100.

The DPB 258 is intended for reconstruction of the living-body-tissuelayers profile using attenuation and phase delay of the reflectedsignals and coordinates of the mobile device measured at a number ofpositions during movement of the electronic device 100 along a surfaceof the body 101. In addition, the DPB 258 may calculate fat layerthickness profile and other parameters of the body 101 tissues.

The display 212 may be connected to the DPB 258 and may be intended forrepresentation of measurement results. As a result of data processing,the DPB 258 may send to the display 212 a cross section (2D or 3D) ofthe body tissues thickness profile including information on thecorresponding position on the body 101.

In exemplary embodiments as shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B, the electronicdevice 100 may include a display (i.e., the display 212) to representthe result of an analysis on tissue layers. However, in anotherexemplary embodiment, the display is not included in the electronicdevice 100. In this case, to provide a user with the result of theanalysis on the tissue layers, the electronic device 100 may transmitthe result of the analysis or information regarding the result of theanalysis to an external device capable of representing the result of theanalysis. Accordingly, the electronic device 100 may include acommunicator for transmitting signals to the external device. Herein,the information regarding the result of the analysis may be in the formof data or images.

According to various exemplary embodiments, the electronic device 100analyzes the tissue layers while the electronic device 100 moves along asurface of the body 101. During the movement, signals are radiated fromthe transmit antenna 222 toward the body 101, and reflected signals fromthe body 101 are detected at the receive antenna 223. That is,components that may move along with the surface are the transmit antenna222 and the receive antenna 223. Therefore, in some exemplaryembodiments, in the structure of the electronic device 100, only some ofthe components including the transmit antenna 222 and the receiveantenna 223 may be implemented in a movable form.

FIG. 3 illustrates operations of an electronic device according to anexemplary embodiment. FIG. 3 exemplifies a method for operating theelectronic device 100.

Referring FIG. 3, at step 301, the electronic device 100 receivessignals that are transmitted to an object and are reflected from theobject. That is, the electronic device 100 transmits the measurementsignals to the object, and receives reflected signals returned from theobject. Receptions of the reflected signals are repetitively performedwhile the electronic device 100 moves. Herein, the measurement signalsmay for example be UWB signals. Further, a frequency band of themeasurement signals may be in a industrial scientific and medical (ISM)band.

At step 303, the electronic device 100 generates information on tissuelayers of the object based on the reflected signals. The information onthe tissue layers may represent a thickness of tissues (i.e., a muscle,a skin and a fat). At this time, position information during a movementof the electronic device 100 may be used together to generate theinformation on the tissue layers. That is, the electronic device 100generates information on tissue layers of the object based on thereflected signals and the position information estimated while theelectronic device 100 moves.

According to various exemplary embodiments, non-contact measurements ofvarious body parts may be performed. In an exemplary embodiment of thepresent disclosure, the electronic device 100 must be placed in front ofthe body 101. All body parts with any size and shape may be checked(i.e. belly, legs, hands, neck).

Living body tissues have a high contrast of dielectric permittivityvalues. For example, fat tissue permittivity may be ˜4.7 and muscletissue permittivity may be ˜45. This almost 10 times difference may leadto high reflection coefficient from a border between tissues. Based onthat physical phenomenon, the present disclosure discloses variousexemplary embodiments for measuring borders between the fat layer andother layers (skin, muscle) of the body. As a result, good quality ofliving-body-tissue layers profile is obtained while keeping the emittedpower of the electronic device 100 low, and maintaining a small size ofthe transmit antenna 222 and the receive antenna 223.

The measurement may done by a non-contact method. The transmit antenna222 and the receive antenna 223 may be placed tight. However, it is notnecessary to have electric contact to skin of the body 101 surface.Namely, a direct contact to the body 101 skin is not required. Any kindof light clothing, for example a t-shirt, may be placed between the body101 surface and antennas 102 and 103 during measurement. In an exemplaryembodiment of the present disclosure, the electronic device 100 may bemanually moved along the body 101 surface.

An example of a measurement process is described below. FIG. 4illustrates an example of a movement of the electronic device 100 alonga body surface. In an exemplary embodiment, as shown in FIG. 4, theelectronic device 100 performs a series of measurements while movingalong a path 405. Accordingly, the electronic device 100 is capable offorming a virtual antenna by moving. At that, structure of the body 101tissues is calculated using measurement results taken at a number ofpositions with relative coordinates of these positions. This movementand measurement method achieves such accuracy, as if the electronicdevice 100 had a transmit 102 and receive 103 array antennas of largeenough size to simultaneously cover all positions of the electronicdevice 100 moving along the path. That is, the electronic device 100forms a virtual antenna using the movement. Therefore, various exemplaryembodiments enable significant resolution improvement of the bodytissues imaging without increasing a size of the electronic device 100.

An exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure utilizes the MCB 256to locate a position at each measurement during scanning of the bodytissue layers thickness profile. Measurement results from severaldifferent positions of the electronic device 100 are used for imaging ofthe body 101 tissues.

A measurement process is illustrated on FIG. 5 using a cross section ofthe body 101. FIG. 5 illustrates a cross-section of body tissues and amovement of an electronic device during a measurement process. ReferringFIG. 5, the electronic device 100 moves along body skin surface 502. Asan example, the body 101 includes a skin layer 502, a fat layer 503 anda muscle layer 504. The electronic device 100 is manually moved alongthe skin 502 surface in a direction 505 and makes a series ofmeasurements at number of positions 506. For each of the measurements ateach of the positions 506, the electronic device 100 may send atransmitted signal and receive a reflected signal. Movement of theelectronic device 100 is continuously detected by the MCB 256, andposition information is related to each measurement. After a movement505 is complete, all measurements data are collected by the DPB 258.Image resolution improvement may be achieved by processed parameters ofthe received signal by the DPB 258 for multiple locations of theelectronic device 100.

In the case that a 3D image must be reconstructed, the electronic device100 may be moved on the body 101 surface in a spiral or zigzag path 607depicted on FIG. 6. FIG. 6 illustrates an example of manual spiral orzigzag movement of an electronic device along a body surface, which maybe required for a 3D image reconstruction. In this case, electronicdevice 100 covers area on the body 101 surface and gathers enough datato reconstruct a 3D image of the body tissues. Also, in this case, theMCB 256 tracks the movement along the surface and saves coordinates ofmultiple positions. Data processing for 2D and 3D reconstruction isdescribed below.

A technical exemplary embodiment of the UWB sensor, that is, theelectronic device 100 is described below.

In various exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure, theelectronic device 100 can use different types of microwave signals as anultra-wide band spectrum signals, for example:

-   -   UWB impulse radio signal: impulse radio communicates with        baseband pulses of very short duration, typically on the order        of a nanosecond, thereby spreading the energy of the radio        signal very thinly.    -   chirp pulse UWB signal: a chirp may be a sinusoidal signal whose        frequency increases or decreases over time.    -   stepped frequency UWB signal: a variation of a chirp pulse when        the signal frequency may be changed with several fixed frequency        steps    -   noise-like UWB signal: UWB signal which may be generated by a        deterministic system but have no periodic structure and look        like white noise.    -   maximum length binary sequence UWB signal: a type of        pseudorandom binary sequence generated using maximal linear        feedback shift registers, which may be an infinitely repeated        sequence of a long random set of binary elements.

As it is clear to those skilled in the art, depending on microwavesignals type to be used, appropriate signal transmitting and receivingtechnique must be realized. The transmitter block 224 and the receiverblock 225 are configured to function using corresponding ultra-wide bandspectrum signal. Resolution of body tissues imaging may be proportionalto a bandwidth of a signal to be used. Hence, in an exemplary embodimentof the present disclosure, the UWB signals may be used.

For example, consider the usage of continuous wave stepped frequencymodulation over a frequency band to make the UWB microwave spectrum. Thereceived signal in time domain may be calculated from a frequencyspectrum using an inverse Fourier transformation. While this method mayoffer enhanced resolution of body tissue imaging, the sensitivity may belimited by the fact that the electronic device 100 is continuouslytransmitting and receiving at the same frequencies. Parasitic couplingsignals from the transmitter block 224 to the receiver block 225 mayreduce the dynamic range of the receiver block 225. Thus maximum imagingdepth of body 101 tissues is limited by decoupling of the transmitantenna 222 and the receive antenna 223.

In an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, the transmitantenna 222 and the receive antenna 223 are configuring spatialresolution by near-field focusing of transmitted and reflected signalswithin an imaging area of body 101 tissues. Radiation of transmittedsignal into the body 101 is illustrated in FIGS. 7A and 7B. FIGS. 7A and7B illustrate examples of radiation of a transmitted signal into a body,where a cross-section of the body is taken at a center of a transmitantenna.

In FIGS. 7A and 7B, a cross-section of the body 101 may be taken at acenter of the transmit antenna 222. Intensity of an electric field inair 701 may be lower than an intensity of an electric field in the body101; a radiation 710 of transmitted signal may be directed towards innerlayers of body tissues. Therefore, parasitic back and side reflectionsmay be reduced.

In some exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure, the transmitantenna 222 and the receive antenna 223 are fabricated using flexiblematerials such as a flexible printed circuit board (FPCB), an Indium tinoxide film or alike. In that exemplary embodiment, the transmit antenna222 and the receive antenna 223 could be flexibly moved one relativelyto the other. Thus, a conformal adaptation for the body may be supportedby the electronic device 100 as shown on FIG. 8.

FIG. 8 illustrates an example of a conformal adaptation of a sensor fora body shape. Referring FIG. 8, the transmit antenna 222 and the receiveantenna 223 of the electronic device 100 flexibly move along with asurface of the body 101. Accordingly, the electronic device 100 cantransmit and receive signals toward proper directions regarding the body101. Therefore, an effective analysis of regions 801 and 802 may bereceived and archived or stored.

Antennas made of flexible material may bend around the body to providestable gap thickness between antennas and skin (or, in some embodiments,cloth) surface during movement. In case of gap thickness stabilityparasitic reflections from body skin and cloth may also be stable andeasy to remove.

In various exemplary embodiments, during the manual movement of theelectronic device 100 along the body 101 surface, the transmit antenna222 and the receive antenna 223 may conform to the body shape. Thisenables measurement of body tissue layers 502, 503 and 504 for everypart of the body (i.e. belly, legs, hands, neck) regardless of itsdimensions and curvature. Both flexible and rigid antennas can be usedin through-cloth measurement, without electrical contact with skin.Also, conformal flexible antennas eliminate occurrence of air-filledgaps of variable thickness between antennas and the body, thus,minimizing reflections variation at the boundary antenna to the bodyskin (making it stable and simpler for removal). Cameras may be used forlocation determining similarly to common PC mouse tracking approach.Therefore, accuracy for image reconstruction of living-body-tissuelayers profile and layers thickness measurement is improved by movementof the transmit antenna 222 relative to the receive antenna 223. Thisapproach provides image reconstruction in the case that dielectricproperties of tissue under investigation are undefined. Dielectricproperties in this case can be defined by common data processingmethods.

As is clear for those skilled in the art, high dielectric permittivityof fat and muscle tissues reduces wavelength in the body tissues by 3-7times. Therefore, near-field focusing could be efficiently implementedusing small-sized transmit antenna 222 and receive antenna 223.

In other exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure, the transmitantenna 222 and the receive antenna 223 may be placed together in asingle assembly. Thus, maximum compactness of the electronic device 100may be achievable. This implementation is intended for usage in tinydevices.

An accuracy may be estimated as described below.

An accuracy of the electronic device 100 may be defined as a depth (orvertical) accuracy and a horizontal accuracy. The depth accuracy may bedefined as layer thickness variation which can be resolved. Thisaccuracy may be proportional to wavelength at central frequency of thetransmitted signal, generated by the transmitter block 224. The layerthickness variation can be confidently resolved if it is approximatelyA_(d)=λ₀/3 . . . λ₀/2, where λ₀ is a wavelength in the body tissues 502to 504. Here, λ₀≈λ/Re(√∈′), ∈′ is dielectric permittivity. Variations ofthickness smaller than A_(d) will not be resolved. For example, considerusing UWB spectrum signals with center frequency f=8 GHz, andmeasurement of the muscle layer with dielectric permittivity ∈′=40. Thena theoretical limit for depth accuracy may be Ad=0.0019m (λ=0.0375m,λ0=0.0059m).

Horizontal accuracy may depend on wavelength λ0, depth of the bodytissue layers 502-504, and radiation pattern of the transmit antenna 222and the receive antenna 223. Horizontal accuracy for theliving-body-tissue layers profile extraction is proportional to Ah˜λ0.Hence in case if f=8 GHz, ∈′=40 then Ah=0.0059m. That accuracy issufficient to image the structure of sub-surface horizontal layers.

An example of a user scenario for measurement of body tissues with theUWB sensor, that is, the electronic device 100, is described below.According to an exemplary embodiment, a measurement procedure forsubsurface body tissue layers thickness profile may be:

1) The user manually takes the device 100 and press an on-screen button“Start” button. After the user has pressed “Start” button, the device100 may wait for the placement of device 100 on a body.

2) The user manually puts the electronic device 100 close to bodysurface under examination and moves the device 100 along the bodykeeping the close contact.

3) During close movement, the electronic device 100 is tracking itsposition and travelled distance using the MCB 258.

4) When the electronic device 100 identifies a “Finish” time, the device100 processes the data using the CPU 211 or the DPB 258 to find a finalresult of the fat tissue thickness profile. After that, the electronicdevice 100 indicates obtained results on the display 212.

5) The user may move the electronic device 100 away from the body 101and observe the fat thickness profile results on the display 212 of theelectronic device 100. Results may be depicted in a form of graph of fatthickness profile related with on-body position, including totaltravelled distance.

The electronic device 100 distinguishes its placement on the bodysurface and distinguishes the moment or time when the user removes itaway from body surface. The time of removal from the body surface may beidentified as a measurement finish. For example, sensing of theplacement is implemented via antennas impedance changes when antenna areplaced on the body 101.

If user makes 2D imaging or 3D imaging, the user may move the electronicdevice 100 in a different path (straight as in 405 of FIG. 4 or zigzagas in 607 of FIG. 6). All of these paths may be distinguished by the MCB258 of the electronic device 100 due to its possibility to detecton-body displacements in 2 axes.

An example of a maximum measurement depth of the electronic device 100is described below.

FIG. 9 illustrates an example of a 3D simulation model for estimation ofa maximum measurement depth of a sensor. FIG. 9 exemplifies a 3Dsimulation model that was designed in order to estimate microwavesignals attenuation in dependence of the body tissue types andthickness. Two antennas 902 and 903 were placed at opposite sides of abody phantom 901. The body phantom 901 thickness was variable. Antennasto be used in the 3D simulation model were bow-tie type with centralfeed point. Antennas size was 10×10×2.5 mm. Metal grounded shield at theantenna back side is placed to reduce backward radiation. Inside spaceof the antennas is filled with dielectric for impedance matching ofantennas with the body tissues. Dielectric permittivity ∈=4 was used forall simulations. Additionally, a thin 0.25 mm polyester material wasplaced between antennas and tissue surfaces to simulate use-case ofimaging through thin clothes.

FIGS. 10A to 10C illustrate examples of estimations of microwave signalsattenuation for skin, fat and muscle tissues. FIG. 10A illustrates anexample estimation of microwave signals attenuation for a skin 1005 at 8GHz frequency, FIG. 10B illustrates an example estimation of microwavesignals attenuation for a fat 1004 at 8 GHz frequency, and FIG. 10Cillustrates an example estimation of microwave signals attenuation for amuscle 1006 at 8 GHz frequency. Referring FIGS. 10A to 10C, the maximumdepth of a body imaging by the electronic device 100 can be estimatedbased on characteristics of each tissue. For example, output peak powerof the transmitter block 224 P_(tx)=0 dBm, transmit antenna 222 and thereceive antenna 223 gain G_(tx)=G_(rx)=2 dBi, the receiver block 225sensitivity S_(rx)=−60 dBm. In that case, the maximum attenuation A_(ch)in tissue can be estimated as:

A _(ch) =P _(tx) +G _(tx) +G _(rx) −S _(rx)  (1)

In Equation 1, A_(Ch) denotes the maximum attenuation, Ptx denotes atransmit peak power, Gtx denotes a gain of the transmit antenna, and Grxdenotes a gain of the transmit antenna.

In the considered example, A_(ch)=64 dB. Using results of FIGS. 10A to10C, the maximum scan depth at 8 GHz frequency can be estimated asd_(skin)>7 mm, d_(fat)≈57 mm, d_(muscle)≈13 mm.

To improve an accuracy of analysis of the tissue layers, a calibrationfor the transmitter block 224 and the receiver block 225 of theelectronic device 100 may be performed. The calibration for the layertissues thickness measurement may be performed as described below.

In some exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure, the electronicdevice 100 may include a reference coupler 1101 as shown in FIG. 11A.FIG. 11A illustrates an example structure of an electronic device with areference coupler for a calibration. The reference coupler 1101 may beincluded for a calibration of a signal response from the skin surface,“zero” depth level. Input of the reference coupler 1101 is connected tothe transmit antenna 222, output—to the receive antenna 223. Thereference coupler 1101 is intended for forming the marker signals onoutput of the receive antenna 223 using attenuated transmitted signals.Said marker signals are added to the received signal and detected by thereceiver block 225. Said marker signals are intended for calibration ofthe microwave signals delays within the electronic device 100.

In some exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure, a calibrationof system response is performed using a calibration material 1102 placedwithin the gap between antennas 222 and 223 and the body 101, as shownin FIG. 11B. FIG. 11B illustrates a structure of an electronic devicewith a calibration material for a calibration. The calibration material1102 may be included for a calibration of a signal response from theskin surface, “zero” depth level. The calibration material 1102 can be aplate of a homogeneous dielectric like FR-4. Signal reflections from thecalibration material 1102 are predefined by known physical properties ofthe calibration material 1102.

In some exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure, marker signalsare detected as a generally constant wave signal with minimum delaytime. Actual signals received from the body are defined by subtractingdetected marked signals from measured received signals.

Using the reference coupler 1101 or the calibration material 1102,boundary between transmit antenna 222 and the receive antenna 223 andthe skin surface is identified as a “zero” depth level. The referencecoupler 1101 or the calibration material 1102 allow to find a positionof the reflected signal response from the skin surface. Thus,calibration procedure may be made automatically during theliving-body-tissues reflection imaging. This calibration is alsointended for parasitic reflection signals removal.

An example method of non-contact extraction of living-body-tissue layersprofile using an ultra-wide band sensor for mobile health-careapplications is illustrated in FIG. 12. FIG. 12 illustrates ameasurement and a data analysis procedure for body-tissue layers profileextraction. An exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure mayimplement measurement and data analysis procedures as illustrated inFIG. 5.

Referring to the example method of FIG. 12, measurement is performed byplacement of the electronic device 100 on a part of the body and manualmovement of the electronic device 100 along the body surface (step1201). During movement of the electronic device 100 along the bodysurface, measurement is performed at least at two positions as follows:the transmitter block 224 generates microwave signals as ultra-wide bandspectrum signals; the transmitting antenna 222 radiates microwavesignals into the body 101; the receive antenna 223 receives reflectedsignal from the body; the receiver block 225 detects amplitude and phasefrequency characteristics of the reflected signal; the control block 257receives data on amplitude attenuation and phase delay of the reflectedsignal from the receiver block 225.

The MCB 256 measures coordinates of positions of the electronic device100 on the body 101 surface. Reflected signal parameters and coordinatesof corresponding mobile device positions are sent to the DPB 258 (step1203). The coordinates are measured in order to ensure that allmeasurements are made at equidistant intervals along the body. In a realdevice these coordinates can be for example a displacement in cmrelative to a start position, or x and y displacement in cm on the bodysurface relative to a start point. The MCB 256 measures short timeshifts (during ˜ms time intervals) along the surface for example byintegrating data from embedded 3-axis accelerometer (finding shift assquare root from sum of squares of integrals of x, y, z data) or anyother odometer sensor. After that the MCB summarizes all short timeshifts to define said displacement from start position. The DPB 258,knowing real coordinates at which each measurement was made, may selectequidistant measurements to provide correct image reconstruction. Thistechnique may be used to perform successful image reconstruction even ifa user moves the device non-uniformly or with variable speed along thebody.

For each measurement, marker signals from the reference coupler 1101 areidentified by the DPB 258 as reflected signal response from the skinsurface, specifically, a “zero” depth level. This provides automaticreal-time calibration during the living-body-tissues imaging (step1205). After that, the electronic device 100 performs the step 1201 andstep 1207.

The DPB 258 processes attenuation and phase delay of the reflectedsignals and coordinates of the mobile device measured at a number ofpositions during movement of the mobile device along the body surface.An image of the body tissue layers is formed by cumulative measurementsfrom many positions. At that step, signal averaging is performed to takeinto account the mobile device movement non-uniformity and discontinuity(step 1207).

The data processing block performs image reconstruction ofliving-body-tissue layers profile and layers thickness measurement usingaperture synthesis, Fourier, inverse filtration, cepstral or relateddata processing methods (step 1209).

At the final step of the measurement, the display 212 indicates thecross section (2D or 3D) of the body tissues thickness profile includinginformation on the corresponding position on the body (step 1211).

An exemplary embodiment of a data processing technique forreconstruction of body tissues may performed as described below. Thedata processing by the UWB sensor, that is, the electronic device 100,may be split in several steps:

1. All datasets measured at specific on-body positions may be firstconverted to time domain. For example, if datasets was measured infrequency domain, first a Fourier transform may be applied to obtaintime domain datasets.

2. Find and remove parasitic signals which are closest to zero depthlevel. These are the signals reflected not from the internal bodytissues, but directly passed between transmitting and receiving antennasin the air, in skin, etc. After removal of parasitic signals, thedatasets containing only pulses reflected from deep tissue borders maybe obtained.

3. The datasets may be processed to find peak reflections data in eachof datasets. Additional smoothing can be applied to peak reflectionsdata.

4. Perform image reconstruction of living-body-tissue layers profileusing aperture synthesis, Fourier, inverse filtration, cepstral orrelated data processing methods.

5. Perform layers thickness measurement by detecting depth of tissueboundaries (at least one) and show this to the user.

The electronic device 100 can depict a layered tissues structure in 2Dafter a user moves the electronic device 100 along with the skinsurface. An example of a measurement result indicated by the electronicdevice 100 may be illustrated in FIGS. 13A and 13B. FIGS. 13A and 13Billustrate example body tissue layer structures that may be presentedafter a measurement. An exemplary embodiment can depict detailedstructure of the body tissues in section-like view or like a profilegraph of different tissue thickness.

In an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, 3D reconstructionis implemented as a superposition of multiple 2D images taken forvarious cross-sections. 2D data processing may be applied in orthogonaldimensions, for example, in horizontal and vertical dimensions along thebody. Data processing for 3D reconstruction requires a number ofdatasets measured at the body 101 surface with 10 mm average distancebetween measurement positions. Example of a 3D image reconstruction forthe fat volume allocation is illustrated FIGS. 14A-14D. FIGS. 14A-14Dillustrate examples of a 3D image reconstruction for a fat volumeallocation.

In order to achieve the best accuracy, it may be important to providemeasurements at known positions at the body skin surface. Information onbody positions is also important for representation of finally processeddatasets (peak reflection data) related with actual position of thesensor on the body skin surface.

Home-care and medical applications of analysis schemes for the tissuelayers of the body are described. The analysis schemes may be appliedfor medical diagnosis applications by imaging of body organs inside thebody 101. Dynamic tissue reconstruction of body organs and analysis ofbody organs functioning may be performed. In order to reconstruct theimage, the electronic device 100 including the UWB sensor may make aseries of measurements at number of positions along the body organ. Timeduration of this measurement may be longer than average period of theorgan movement.

Non-contact measuring technology for organ movements may have thefollowing advantages: noninvasive method, infection-safe, andcomfortable. It may be suitable for home-care continuous monitoring toindicate user's health and recovery status.

In some exemplary embodiments, the sensor identifies movement patternsof each part of the heart separately for cardiopulmonary sensing: heartstrength, vascular age, arterial stiffness and other cardiovascularparameters.

In another exemplary embodiment, intestinal motility monitoring ofcontraction status is done for monitoring of intestine condition anddisorders, such as recurrent obstruction, spasms and intestinalparalysis. Exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure providenon-invasive monitoring of physiological information, such as abdominaldistension and recurrent obstruction. That enables home-care healthmonitoring and preliminary diagnosis.

Another useful feature of the UWB sensor is possibility of tissuedifferentiation. The UWB sensor can distinguish tissues on the basis ofmeasured dielectric permittivity. The UWB sensor may detect tissueparameters if its antennas may be moved relatively to each other duringmeasurement process. In some exemplary embodiments, a sensor may have asingle transmit antenna and a series of electrically switchable receiveantennas placed, for example, in a line. The UWB sensor may detecttissue permittivity from different signal propagation time betweendifferent pairs of transmitting and receiving antennas. Switchableapproach provides single RF module use for multiple antennas and tosimplify and reduce cost of a sensor. Also this approach may providefaster measurement and better accuracy due to avoiding the need for auser's manual sensor to move.

Example industrial applicability is described below. Aforementionedexemplary embodiments can find application in consumer electronicsystems of the body tissues imaging sensors; in particular, it mayprovide the tissue thickness measurement and tissue 2D/3D structure viewto the depth of several centimeters. The claimed solution is especiallysuitable for use in the fields of healthcare and fitness consumerdevices.

Example product applications as described below can be considered.

1. Precise tracking of body composition during a fitness course:

-   -   Body fat allocation at body parts such as chest, abdominal area,        thigh, lower back, bicep, neck, etc. Defining what person's body        fat allocation means for his health status and what fitness        strategy will give the best results.    -   Tissue thickness profile, fat volume within each body part.    -   Optimizing the fitness plan for the best way to improve person's        body composition.    -   Personalized goals definition and progress tracking.    -   Obesity monitoring for prevention of lifestyle-related diseases:        diabetes, hypertension, hyperlipidemia.

2. Reconstruction of body organs and their functioning, physiologicalparameters measurement:

-   -   Head imaging system for tumors detection    -   Breast imaging system for early detection of breast cancer    -   Intestinal motility monitoring,    -   Cardiopulmonary sensing: heart strength, vascular age, arterial        stiffness    -   Analysis of inner body organs: liver, kidney, etc.

An exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure may provide imagingcapability by displaying the regions of visceral fat and subcutaneousfat. Examination results details may be shown visually for easyunderstanding. Subcutaneous fat may be measured directly by sensor andvisceral fat can be estimated based on subtraction of subcutaneous fatamount from total body fat amount. Total body fat amount may be measuredby common methods based on weight and height. In this case visceral fatmeasurement accuracy will be limited with common method accuracy.

The best imaging quality of living-body-tissue layers profile isobtained while keeping low emitted power of the UWB sensor andsmall-sized antennas. Achieved tissue thickness resolution accuracy is 2mm.

Progress charts are stored and indicated for each body part withinpersonalized health profile. This information is compared to referencedata indicating overall health status of the person.

In an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, the display usedfor the indication is implemented as a screen of the mobile electronicdevice like a smartphone or tablet computer.

In some exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure, acquired healthprofile data is sent to personal doctor, physician or a coach.

Embodiments of the present invention according to the claims anddescription in the specification can be realized in the form ofhardware, software or a combination of hardware and software.

Such software may be stored in a computer readable storage medium. Thecomputer readable storage medium stores one or more programs (softwaremodules), the one or more programs comprising instructions, which whenexecuted by one or more processors in an electronic device, cause theelectronic device to perform methods of the present invention.

Such software may be stored in the form of volatile or non-volatilestorage such as, for example, a storage device like a Read Only Memory(ROM), or in the form of memory such as, for example, Random AccessMemory (RAM), memory chips, device or integrated circuits or on anoptically or magnetically readable medium such as, for example, aCompact Disc (CD), Digital Video Disc (DVD), magnetic disk or magnetictape or the like. It will be appreciated that the storage devices andstorage media are embodiments of machine-readable storage that aresuitable for storing a program or programs comprising instructions that,when executed, implement embodiments of the present invention.Embodiments provide a program comprising code for implementing apparatusor a method as claimed in any one of the claims of this specificationand a machine-readable storage storing such a program. Still further,such programs may be conveyed electronically via any medium such as acommunication signal carried over a wired or wireless connection andembodiments suitably encompass the same.

While certain exemplary embodiments have been described, it will beunderstood by those skilled in the art that various changes in form anddetails may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scopeas defined by the appended claims and their equivalents.

What is claimed is:
 1. An electronic device comprising: a receiverconfigured to receive signals reflected from an object; and a controllerconfigured to generate information corresponding to at least one tissuelayer of the object based on the signals and a plurality of positions ofthe electronic device, wherein the plurality of positions are determinedwhile the electronic device moves.
 2. The electronic device of claim 1,wherein the object comprises a body, wherein the at least one tissuelayer comprises at least one from among a muscle, a skin and a fat, andwherein the information comprises a thickness associated with the atleast one tissue layer.
 3. The electronic device of claim 1, furthercomprising: a transmitter configured to radiate the signals to theobject while the electronic device moves along a surface of the object.4. The electronic device of claim 1, further comprising: a sensorconfigured to determine the plurality of positions while the electronicdevice moves.
 5. The electronic device of claim 1, further comprising: adisplay configured to display an image representing the information. 6.The electronic device of claim 1, further comprising: a communicatorconfigured to transmit the information to another electronic device. 7.The electronic device of claim 1, further comprising: at least oneantenna configured to radiate the signals and to detect the signalsreflected from the object, wherein the at least one antenna comprisesflexible materials.
 8. The electronic device of claim 1, furthercomprising: a reference coupler configured to generate a marker signalfor a calibration relating to a signal delay associated with thesignals.
 9. The electronic device of claim 1, wherein the controller isfurther configured to measure a magnitude attenuation and a phase delayof the signals.
 10. The electronic device of claim 1, wherein theinformation is generated based on a magnitude attenuation and a phasedelay of the signals, and an estimation of signal attenuationcorresponding to a thickness of the at least one tissue layer.
 11. Amethod for operating an electronic device, the method comprising:receiving signals reflected from an object; and generating informationcorresponding to at least one tissue layer of the object based on thesignals and a plurality of positions of the electronic device, whereinthe plurality of positions are determined while the electronic devicemoves.
 12. The method of claim 11, wherein the object comprises a body,wherein the at least one tissue layer comprises at least one from amonga muscle, a skin and a fat, and wherein the information comprises athickness associated with the at least one tissue layer.
 13. The methodof claim 11, further comprising: radiating the signals to the objectwhile the electronic device moves along a surface of the object.
 14. Themethod of claim 11, further comprising: determining the plurality ofpositions while the electronic device moves.
 15. The method of claim 11,further comprising: displaying an image representing the information.16. The method of claim 11, further comprising: transmitting theinformation to another electronic device.
 17. The method of claim 11,wherein the signals are radiated and detected through at least oneantenna, and wherein the at least one antenna comprises flexiblematerials.
 18. The method of claim 11, further comprising: generating amarker signal for a calibration relating to a signal delay associatedwith the signals.
 19. The method of claim 11, further comprising:measuring a magnitude attenuation and a phase delay of the signals. 20.The method of claim 11, wherein the information is generated based on amagnitude attenuation and a phase delay of the signals, and anestimation of signal attenuation corresponding to a thickness of the atleast one tissue layer.